HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The Hawaii Foodbank is preparing for increased demand as the ongoing federal government shutdown adds pressure to an already strained food system.

“First it’s the price of food, then it’s the federal cuts, then it’s the layoffs, then SNAP, then Medicaid cuts, and now the shutdown,” said Elia Herman, director of advocacy at the Hawaii Foodbank.

Herman said it’s been a struggle in recent months. Back in March and April, Hawaii’s food banks lost more than $4 million worth of food due to federal program cuts.

Now, she said, they’re planning extra distributions to meet growing demand, even though they’re already at capacity.

“We have three shipments of food coming in to try to get ready for what’s looking increasingly like a prolonged impact about $250,000 worth o

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